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Japan are one of the continent's top sides but they crashed and burned at the Asian Cup at the start of the year, losing to Iran in the quarter-finals. They also made hard work of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, opening the third round with a shock home defeat to Oman and losing early on away to Saudi Arabia.
Japan kick off the third qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup against China in Saitama and midfielder Endo believes they have the quality to improve.
"We remember losing the opening game of the World Cup qualifiers last time and we also have the frustration from the Asian Cup," said Endo.
Japan have also been drawn with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Australia in Group C. The top two are guaranteed a place at the World Cup, with the third and fourth-placed sides going into a further round of qualifying.
